Putin: Western Elites Want to Prosper at Expense of Others

By Staff, Agencies

Russian President Vladimir Putin has set the stage for his state visit to China by praising efforts by Moscow and Beijing to build a “just, multipolar world order.” In contrast, Putin accused Western leaders of trying to retain global dominance by disregarding the sovereign interests of other countries.

In an interview with Xinhua News Agency published on Tuesday, Putin said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping had achieved the strongest Russia-China relations in history by relying on “the principles of equality and trust,” as well as mutual respect for each sovereign nation’s interests. He contrasted that approach with Western attitudes toward other nations.

“Earth is the cradle of humanity, our common home, and we are all equal as its inhabitants,” Putin said. “I am convinced that this view is shared by most people on the planet.”

He added, however, that “US?led Western elites refuse to respect civilizational and cultural diversity and reject centuries-old traditional values,” and “have usurped the right to tell other nations whom they may – or must not – make friends and cooperate with.”

“They seek to ensure their well?being at the expense of other states, just like in the old days, and resort to neo-colonial methods to that end,” Putin said.

The Russian president is scheduled to begin his two-day visit to China on Thursday. Just as Xi chose Russia for his first foreign trip after being reelected last year, the Russian leader is heading to Beijing after winning his fifth term as president.